Posted by Joe Cimoch on Sunday, November 12, 2000 at 10:17:54:
In Reply to: Re: Diesel Ford W/6spd manual posted by Chris Lube Lublin on Sunday, November 12, 2000 at 01:17:14:
From Buzz article 8/1/2000:
The Mercedes diesel they are "considering?" the MBE-900 series diesel engines. In the US the 6.4 liter 900 diesel engines are used in both Freightliner and Sterling trucks.
The water-cooled in-line six features 3-valve technology (two intake, one exhaust). The electronically controlled turbocharged engine uses charge air cooling to improve perormance. In it's base rating the engine puts out 190 HP @ 2300 rpm and a 520 lb. ft. @ 1200rpm. At its top rating the mill puts out 300 HP @ 2300 rpm and 860 lb. ft @ 1400!
The current Cummins ISB used in the Ram is rated at 235 bhp (@ 2,700 rpm) and 460 ft lb (@ 1,600 rpm). At its top rating the 24valve turbo diesel is capable of 275 hp and 660
lb-ft of torque. In its top rating the new Isuzu/GM Duramax 6.6 liter V8 turbo diesel puts out 300 bhp @ 3100 rpm and 520 lb-ft of torque @ 1800 rpm. Ford's Navistar built 7.3
liter Power Stroke V8 diesel has a peak horsepower rating of 235 @ 2,700 rpm, and produces 500 lb ft @ 1,600. In order to reclaim King of the Hill status, the next Ram diesel will need to meet or exceed 300 hp and top the Duramax's 520 lb. ft.
The MBE-900 is definitely up to the task of powering the
heavy duty Ram. However, it does have some drawbacks.
The most significant are its size and weight. The in-line six
is quite tall and it weighs 1168 lbs. which has caused
packaging issues under the HD Ram's hood. While not
exactly petite, the Cummins is designed to be compact with
a high power to weight rating.
The biggest limitation on output for either engine is the
transmission it's matted to. As previously reported, Dodge
plans to offer the Allison T1000 M5 automatic in the HD
Ram. The electronically-controlled transmission has a max
capacity of 545 lb-ft of gross torque and 375 gross hp.
In February Buzz Watch broke the story that DC is also
planning to use Mercedes transmissions for select high
torque applications. The Mercedes W5A800 (listed in future
Dodge part literature) could definitely be used with the
diesel since it can handle a whopping 590 lb. ft in its current
form. Another possibility is that Dodge will use their
innovative new six speed automatic/manual transmission
(for all the details please visit Amazing New Transmission.
The million-dollar question is "where does Cummins fit in."
Despite the long term contracts they have with DC,
chairman Schrempp has made it clear that he doesn't think
the World's best diesel engine builder should be buying
engines from an outside supplier. The Buzz had been that
Dodge would offer the next generation Cummins ISB in the
regular Ram and the MB 900 in the HD (Power Wagon)
truck.
This made sense, right up to the moment that DC bought
Detroit Diesel. Now all bets are off. The MB engine will
probably find its way under the hood of the HD Ram, but
the Cummins appears to be headed for extinction in the
Dodge line-up.